52 Survival Skills Your Kids Should Be Learning

Growing up, the preparedness lifestyle was pretty much common place. It was just something we did and pretty much everyone I knew, lived the same way. Between common power outages in our neighborhood, playing in the woods, camping with our families, hunting, fishing and growing up with Depression Era grandparents, preparedness was an essential part of our lives.

Today, we have gotten so complacent about the world around us that we often forget that history has a tendency to repeat itself. Many of us have forgotten the importance of teaching our children survival skills. With grocery store shelves stocked with canned goods, our heat coming from electric base boards and the push that children shouldn’t be taught how to use a firearm, let alone how to hunt, we’ve set ourselves and our children up for failure.

Any new skill that anyone learns takes time to develop. It’s up to us to teach our children what they need to know to survive. We never know if God For Bid we will get separated from our children, but knowing we’ve equipped them as much as possible can offer a bit of peace if something so horrific should happen. It’s also good to note that the more your child is able to learn, the more of an asset they will be to your family unit if SHTF.

I do realize that every child learns at their own pace and many skills take time to develop.

52 Survival Skills Your Kids Should Be Learning

Make sure your child knows your family’s plan – Are you hunkering down? Are you bugging out? If you are leaving, where are you going?

Plant their own food – Planting a garden as a family, from seed to plant is an excellent way to teach this skill.

How to identify local edible plants – There may not always be meat to eat or canned goods on the shelves. This book is a pretty good resource.

How to make a fire and fire safety

How to cook – And more than just on an electric or gas stove. Cooking on an open fire is an essential part of survival.

How to safely use a knife.

How to use a sling shot.

How to hunt small game – trapping, snares, sling shot, and with a gun when they are old enough.

How to fish.

How to use a bow.

How to clean fish and wild game.

How to find water and identify if it’s safe to drink.

How to purify water.

Basic first-aid.

How to build a shelter.

How to defend themselves.

How to make a basic weapon.

How to climb a tree.

Navigation skills – maps/compass/GPS/using the sky.

Know which homes in your neighborhood are safe for them to go to in case of an emergency.

To be aware of their surroundings.

How to prepare food.

How to open food packages and cans.

Emergency phone numbers and how to call 911.

How to swim.

Basic sewing.

How to tie different knots.

How important it is to stay warm, dry or cool depending on the situation.

How to pitch a tent.

How to use a walkie-talkie.

Be able to identify dangerous animals.

Be able to identify poisonous plants.

How to use basic hand tools.

How to home-can foods.

How to smoke different meats.

How to dehydrate foods.

How to freeze foods properly.

Basic hygiene.

How to follow a recipe.

How to measure.

How to work with a team.

How to pack their own bag.

How to signal for help (using a whistle will use less energy than teaching your child to yell for help).

*There may be links in the post above that are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission, which does not affect the price you pay for the product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.*

[…] Go on as many walks, hiking trips, camping adventures and biking trips as you can. Consider taking a morning walk/bike ride or an after dinner walk/bike ride together. Plan camping trips instead of shopping trips on the weekends. If you can’t fit in a camping weekend, go hiking at your National Park. While you are doing this, you can have your children point out wild edible plants that they learned about and you can even make it extra fun by tasting a few of them. Plus, you get a chance to practice survival skills that your kiddos should be learning. […]

[…] I want my children to have happy memories with both of us. I want them to remember all the things we tried to teach them, all the times we spent together, all the good things we passed along to them. If we constantly […]

Hello there! I’m Becca, follower of Jesus, blessed wife to Dan, my high school sweetie and mama to 7 wonderful blessings. Living up to the standard that God has set for us in Proverbs 31 is no small task and the Proverbs 31 woman sure did leave some big shoes to fill. I’m here to help encourage you with articles written about marriage, family, parenting, homemaking, and homesteading. My mission is to encourage and inspire wives and mothers. Learn More